Da Bear at Sandals & Beaches Training

Da Bear really got into the spirit of training at the Sandals seminar.  Toted his briefcase to class and was sporting his intellectual look.

But then he decided to flirt a little with the model; claims he was only checking to make sure her sunscreen was properly applied and also wanted to make sure no sand fleas got in her glass of wine.  Naughty bear.

Work, Work, Work

Da Bear's off to a Sandal's & Beaches seminar, briefcase in hand.  Always learning  -  we don't JUST do cruises you know!

Da Bear Visits Sunset Cove Beach Resort

Having finished lunch and looked at a lot of fish through the floor, Da Bear was pretty pumped about visiting Sunset Cove. It's a fun, pet friendly (he really liked that), family friendly little resort located at Mile Marker 100 (that's how they tell directions in the Keys). Lots of brightly painted cottages,  animal statues scattered throughout the property (zebras, giraffes, dinosaurs, other things you don't usually expect to see in the Keys) and a big area where you can barbecue and set up your own BYOB party.  Perfect for a group!  

Da Bear hung out on the welcome signs,

wanted to wade in the ocean, but couldn't figure out how to do it without getting his feet sandy,  tried to mingle with the fish (but forgot his snorkling gear),

and decided to play in the fountain.  We had to get him out of there ... we all know that bears eat fish, but this looked like it could go the other way.

It was touch and go, but nobody got wet and he's back on land, safe and warm.   All in all, a good trip to a unique little property that personifies the best of the Florida Keys.   I think he'll be back!  Didn't get to go kayaking and I think he wants to look for salmon!

Da Bear

Those who have looked at Top Sail Journeys' page on FaceBook have now seen Da Bear.  In case you haven't met him yet, he's a fairly handsome kind of bear, bit of a paunch, but a good listener and a swell traveling companion.  Here he is, waving hello (has a bit of a regal wave, doesn't he?).

Da Bear and I took a little jaunt down to Key Largo this weekend, feeling a need to escape from work and all the realities of life.  We were, in fact, in a "Keys" frame of mind and as it's only about an hour and a half away, and it had been a long time, and we didn't have anything much else to do ... well, hell Da Bear said lets go and so we did.

We futzed around for awhile and then met friends at a very "Keysey" little restaurant called the Pilot House which is "World Famous" for its glass floors (allowing you to see what you'll shortly be consuming).  Turns out the flooring wasn't all glass (that would be impractical) but there were lots of glass squares you could peer through. I think it would help keep kids entertained.  Not a very sunny and bright day, but we really liked the food, the service and of course the company with whom we shared the afternoon. 

Da Bear loved looking at all the signs around the restaurant and insisted on having his picture taken with the following: 

Kind of gives you a feeling for the atmosphere of the place. 

Next it was off to a little seaside resort, but we'll save that for tomorrow.   Stay warm, Da Bear is!

Cutting Edge Cruising

Everybody seems to have heard about the new Disney Dream now making her home in Port Canaveral, but does everyone know what some of the elements that set her apart from your basic (ho hum) cruise ship are?

If you can dream it (it seems) Disney can do it! (Who comes up with this stuff????) 

• The AquaDuck water roller coaster: one of the most visible new features on the Disney Dream, it’s also just plain fun—for kids and adults. This water roller coaster starts near the ship’s rear stack and takes guests above the pool area, through the front stack and back over the pool deck to the rear stack again.  Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
• The Animator’s Palate, a restaurant on both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, returns but in a very new form. This time the entire room changes during the course of the meal into a giant scene from “Finding Nemo,” complete with a Crush the Turtle character who individually interacts with guests as he “swims” by their tables on giant video screens.  Dude!
• The Walt Disney Theater has been described as one of the largest and most sophisticated at sea.  It  will offer performances of three 55-minute Disney production shows, which include brand-new versions of two existing shows, “Villains Tonight” and “Golden Mickeys,” as well as a completely new musical, “Disney Believe.”
• A giant video screen on Deck 12 shows movies outdoors. Can't get enough Disney movies!
• The pool deck doubles as a venue for the ship’s on-deck parties (the pools are covered by decking during these events). On one night during each cruise, Disney presents Mickey’s Pirates in the Caribbean, an on-deck party, which will be followed by Buccaneer’s Blast, a fireworks display, and Club Pirate, where adults and kids will be encouraged to dance the night away (dressed as pirates, of course). Yarrrrr!
• Disney Dream has kids clubs that are some of the largest (if not the largest) afloat. They've addressed the “teen” issue with a new venue called Vibe, a special key-card-access-only club for teens (age 14-17) featuring large spaces to dance, play computer games, watch a 103-inch plasma TV, or lounge in the sun (part of the area is located outside near the bow of the ship, and includes two hot tubs).  (Mom, Dad, please go a-w-a-y!!)
• Other kids’ venues include the “It’s a Small World Nursery” (ages up to 3), which features places for the youngest set to play games, play with toys and nap, supervised by a staff of counselors. Then there’s the Disney Oceaneer Club (for kids ages 3-7), which features a unique Magic Play Floor, a giant video game player on the floor of the main rotunda. There are also several different play areas, including Andy’s Room (from “Toy Story”) with oversized replicas of the toys; Monster’s Academy, based on the animated feature “Monsters Inc.”; and Nemo’s Submarine, a walk-in model of a submarine, with games and toys.  I'm never growing up!!
• Two workshop areas for kids lead into the Oceaneer Lab (for kids ages 7-10). This space, centered on a giant compass, has several different activities, including a ship simulator game (the kids pretend to steer the Disney Dream), a media lounge, a sound studio, a crafts section, and a Pirate Game, which kids can play individually or as a group. A “tween” area club called Edge (for kids ages 10-13) is located in one of the ship’s funnels.
• Did I mention the youth spa "Chill"?
• Disney has developed some entertaining surprises throughout the ship, including “Enchanted Art,” where your clients will encounter framed scenes of Disney animated features that will quite literally come to life as they move past them. Eeeek!

• Inside staterooms come equipped with Virtual Portholes, which use live footage of the sea from video cameras positioned around the ship. At select times, animated Disney characters will make an appearance in those portholes.  (Oh no, what if Goofy sees me in my undies!)
• And lest you think this is all about kids ... well, big kids too. The Disney Dream includes an adult “neighborhood” which starts with The District Lounge, a bar area, then flows into a champagne bar called Pink, decorated with art depicting pink champagne bubbles. Guests also can choose to spend time in the cozy Skyline Lounge, which will feature “windows” (actually large video screens) overlooking famous city skylines.  
• Also for adults, Evolution, the ship’s sophisticated dance club decorated with a “butterfly” theme, has a large dance floor and bar, video screens and special lighting effects, all designed to evoke an edgier New York or Las Vegas nightspot.  A special “food” bar also will be located in The District where guests will be able to get snacks throughout the night. They also can pull up a stool at 687, a modern pub named after the Disney Dream’s hull number.

And did you know there's an adults only beach and bar on Castaway Cay?  It's splendid!

I haven't gotten into the sophisticated optional dining venues (I'm a big fan of dinner that comes in a ready to open bag) but they're there, created by Michelin and AAA five diamond chefs.  

This ship is named right - isn't it time to live the Dream???

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Cruising in 2010 - The Year in Review

As usual, the year had it's highs and lows, it's foolish pranks and a crisis or two.  Cruising began recovering from the recession of 2008, but it seems that it was an accident prone year.  The amount of new tonnage on order for 2012 and 2013 is keeping the shipyards in full production mode. Here's the roundup:

• Cruise West ceased operations after nearly 30 years, a devastating blow to a wonderful family owned operation.
• Royal Caribbean introduced the 225,282-ton, 5,040-passenger Allure of the Seas along with 2009 sister Oasis of the Seas. Allure of the Seas claims to be 2" longer than Oasis of the Seas.
• Carnival Splendor suffered engine room fire resulting in stranded passengers and cancellation of 10 future cruises.
• A California RV salesman released the anchor on Holland America's Ryndam while the ship was under way. He reportedly admitted to the act, claiming he was drunk at the time. I don't think drunkeness is an arguable defense.
• President Obama signs the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, designed to enhance the personal security of American passengers aboard cruise ships.
• NCL introduces its 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic, which includes outstanding entertainment by the Blue Man Group, a great restaurant selection, and a lot of other fun stuff. Guess size counts.
• The eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano screws up the world's travel plans for a month, but Celebrity Cruises makes a bold PR move by sending brand-new ship Eclipse to rescue stranded British travelers in Spain, before she's even christened.
• A 14-year old passenger from Carnival's Carnival Victory was killed by stray gunfire during a gang shootout in St. Thomas.  St. Thomas reacted with improved security measures and reiterated it's great track record as a vacation destination.
• Princess ordered two 141,000 ton, 3,600 passenger ships for 2013 and 2014. 
• NCL announced construction of two 143,500 ton ships for 2013 and 2014 - where are they going to put them all! 
• NCL takes first steps toward becoming a public company, announcing an initial public stock offering.
• Disney took delivery of its new, 128,000-ton, 2,500-passenger Disney Dream which will debuted to the public yesterday.
• Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas was bounced around by wind and big waves off Alexandria, Egypt, resulting in bumps, bruises and the accompanying hysteria and landlubber's fear that the ship was sinking.
• Expediton ship Clelia II is hit by a big wave near Antarctic, limps toward port.
• The port of Philadelphia, citing declines in ship interest, decides to get out of the cruise business, while Savannah, Georgia and Brownsville, Texas start studying their options to get in.  Jacksonville, Florida gets a bigger ship, newer ships head to Orlando.
• Alaska reduces its ridiculously high cruise-passenger tax rate under pressure from the cruise lines, which were taking their business elsewhere. Oceania and Princess commit to future Alaska calls.
• Cunard debuts its 90,400-ton, 2,092-passenger Queen Elizabeth at a gala Southampton ceremony, with the actual Queen Elizabeth presiding.  Loved her hat.
• Oceania's 65,000-ton, 1,258-passenger Marina the line's first purpose-built ship ever, completes sea trials en route to a January 2011 debut.  We'll get back to you if Oceania ever hires a female executive.
  
• Costa lays the keel for its new, 114,500-ton, 3,780-passenger Costa Fascinosa (Can anyone say Carnival Fascination in Italian?)
• Carnival plans cruise world's first private label beer for pub aboard new Carnival Magic.
• MSC debuted the 86,600-ton MSC Magnifica, its eleventh vessel, and orders another new 137,936 ton, 3,300 passenger ship for 2012.  I hope somebody is building some new islands in the Caribbean to send all these ships to.
• Holland America introduces its 86,000-ton, 2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam.
• Seabourn debuts its new, 32,000-ton, 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn, a sister to last year's Seabourn Odyssey.
• Royal Caribbean makes deal with DreamWorks for new, family-oriented onboard entertainment.
• Princess's 113,000-ton, 3,070-passenger Emerald Princess loses power after leaving Ft. Lauderdale, and drifts around for four hours.
• Carnival begins offering year-round cruises from Charleston, SC, and plans big Bermuda season for 2011.
• In the Gulf of Mexico, Carnival Ecstasy swerves to avoid hitting a drifting buoy , sending passengers and unsecured objects flying. Hysteria and videotape at 11.
• Two disasters: 1) Huge waves strike Louis Cruises' 40,876-ton, 1,464-passenger Louis Majesty off the coast of northern Spain, killing two passengers  2) three crewmembers are killed when high winds force Costa's 1,494-passenger Costa Europa into pier at the Egyptian port of Sharm el-Sheik, piercing the ship's starboard hull.
• Silversea introduces new, 36,000-ton, 540-passenger Silver Spirit, a decidedly five-star ship that, through a typographical error, is listed as getting only four stars in the new Frommer's Cruises and Ports of Call. Oops.
• Royal Caribbean takes heat (by those who hadn't done their homework) for continuing calls at the resort of Labadee, Haiti, after the January earthquake wreaks havoc in and around the country's capital, Port-au-Prince — this despite the fact that its ships were also delivering relief supplies.